by Heinrich Domingo

Silong deviates from the predictable narrative of Pinoy thriller films. The supposedly one dimensional story of a murderer at large was made complicated by the inclusion of issues on marital woes, domestic violence, and women rights. The movie is a breath of fresh air from the typical cheesy romantic films of our generation. It teaches the viewers the extremities of love. Continue reading →

by Heinrich Domingo

Like a prophet who first gained recognition in a foreign land, Lav Diaz comes back to the Philippines with the highly-coveted Locarno’s Golden Leopard. In the international scene, his work was praised, his style applauded, and his narrative explored. Diaz’ films were treated as transcendent over those of the Western style. His work was not governed by theories and structures. But, as he presents this gleaming token to the Filipino audience, he was faced with an indifferent crowd that reeks of the West.

One of the most revered occasions for Philippine cinema is here. Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is an annual event that showcases “new cinematic works by Filipino filmmakers – works that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.” To know more about the festival, click here.

In light of the upcoming Cinemalaya 2015, we are pleased to bring you a countdown of our all-time favorite Filipino indie films that have redefined our cinematic experience. We shall be releasing five reviews of the most notable indie films in the coming days. Stay tuned for updates. Cinephiles unite!